Ecology, Environment and Conservation Paper

MOLECULAR DETECTION OF CITRUS TRISTEZA VIRUS INFECTING CITRUS SPECIES IN VIDARBHA REGION

B. Kumaraswamy, M.V. Totawar, S.S. Mane3 and Pankaj N. Madavi

Abstract

Citrus tristeza virus is one of the most important and devasting pathogen affecting citrus species worldwide. Infection of citrus tristeza virus in vidarbha region of Maharashtra was detected by using PCR technique. By using two different set of primer pairs specific for CTV genome, amplified product of expected sizes i.e.700bp and 510bp have been successfully obtained from CTV infected samples. Total 41 samples of citrus used for RT-PCR technique, out of 41 samples 09 samples showed +ve reaction for CTV in both primers. The PCR-based diagnostic techniques are very much useful for implementing bud wood certification programme to produce pathogen-free planting material of citrus.